Just as an aside, if you have a decent internet connection then its easier just to use the netinstall disc and get apt to download the packages you want when you install them.
Indeed, I think I may have made an error, anyway. After some more googling this morning, I think I might only be able to install "testing" from the netinst cd, after all. I think the one I downloaded was labelled testing but actually only installs the stable version (tho, I'm still not sure). Anyway, have downloaded the netinst cd and am trying that now!
There are a couple of things you can try:
1) the graphical installer :-)
Unfortunately, I don't think this will let me encrypt the filesystem, which is something I want to do. :(
2) just test switching to another virtual terminal with CTRL+ALT+F2. Are they broken too?
Yep, they are.
3) does the Debian install process still re-boot after installing the base system? If so, you could try setting the boot parameters to GRUB when it boots by pressing ESC to cancel the timeout, then e to edit the boot commands. Try adding "vga=791" (for 1024x768) to the end of the "kernel" line.
Might be of some use?
Unfortunately, I think they eliminated that re-boot from the install process (at least, I think I read that in a review somewhere - this is my first install!). OK, well, I'm now trying with the netinst CD to see if that gets me any further ... :/ Peter.